La Liga heavyweights Barcelona reportedly have no intention of parting with Frenkie de Jong amid interest from Manchester United and PSG.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona will look to keep Frenkie de Jong at Camp Nou beyond the summer transfer window, with Joan Laporta reaffirming the same in a recent public appearance. The Dutch midfielder is a target for Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
Frenkie de Jong’s Barcelona stint has been a curious one, as he has, more often than not, been a reliable performer. But the Catalan giants have not experienced much success since he arrived from Ajax in July 2019, with their stock plummeting significantly in the last three years.
The 25-year-old has made 140 appearances for Barcelona thus far, chipping in with 13 goals and 17 assists. But de Jong has reportedly been facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou amid Barcelona’s continued financial struggles, with recent reports claiming he was starting to consider leaving the Blaugrana. Such a situation has captured the attention of Manchester United and PSG.
Manchester United will need to reinforce their midfield unit in the summer transfer window as Nemanja Matic has announced that he will depart from Old Trafford ahead of the 2022/23 season. In addition, Paul Pogba could leave Manchester United amid links with Juventus and PSG.
Frenkie de Jong has thus emerged as a viable target for the Red Devils, who are reportedly prioritising signing the Dutch international. But Manchester United will need to fend off stiff competition from PSG in the race to sign the Barcelona midfielder.
The interest from PSG stems from the inconsistencies of their midfield unit this season, with Georginio Wijnaldum being a dud since his arrival from Liverpool in a Bosman move. In addition, the Dutchman is on the wrong side of 30, and the same can be said about Idrissa Gueye, Danilo Pereira and former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera.
Reports this week have suggested that de Jong is open to joining PSG this summer. But Manchester United and PSG will have to set their sights on alternatives, with Barcelona uninterested in selling de Jong. Joan Laporta reaffirmed in a recent public appearance that Barcelona will not sell the 25-year-old if things go their way. But Manchester United and PSG might have some hope, considering Barcelona’s financial woes.